Pneumatic cleaning-tool.



U. R.`THURMAN.

PNEUMATIO OLEANING TOOL.

APPLIUATION FILED FEB, e, 1911.

1,068,711 3, Patented July 29, 1913.

'QW' @Mmmm ITED STATES CHARLES THURMAN, OF PARNASSAS, VIRGINIA., ,ASSIGNCR T0 ELECTRIC RENO- VATOR MANUFACTURING C0., 0F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A COBPORAT'ICN 0F PENNSYLVANIA.

PNEUHA'I'IC CLEANING-L Speeication of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 9, 1911.

Patented July ea, iota. Setia1N0. 607,584.

To all whom t may concern Be it known ithat I', CHARLES R. THUR- MAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Parnassas, in the county of Westmoreland and State of Virginia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Pneumatic Cleaning-Toolgfpf which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to cleaning toolsof the type very commonly used in connection with pneumatic vacuum cleaning apparatus, and is particularly adapted for use in the cleaning of hard wood floors or the cleaning of other relatively'smooth surfaces which are substantially free from small irregularities.l While of the particular relation and adaptation stated, however, the tool of my invention is capable of use in connection with other types of surfaces than thos stated.

Hard wood floors and similar surfaces fre- -quently have dirt and dust sticking to the fl0or,`t-his sticking being due either to the character ofthe dirt and dust or to moisture which may be present. Furthermore owing to cracks and other irregularities in the iooring, it is not possible for a vacuum Y dirt properly.

It is ythe object of my invention to produce a tool by which these floors and other surfaces can be ,readily cleaned by a single sweeping.

In the accomplishment of my invention, I make use of the tool the main body of which is substantially similar to tools heretofore used. I attach to the mouth of this tool howl ever,`an extension in the form of a iat plate in which there is an opening of substantially thesame extent as the opening in the mouth of the tool. I cover'this plate on its engaging side with a fabric consisting of bristles of suitable stiffness woven into a warp and woof of cotton'or other material, and projecting therefrom as does the nap of a carpet from its body. Specifically, the fabric which I employ is a cotton fabric having a nap of bristles. Preferably I form this plate as an attachment, in order that the tool body may be used without or with it as desired.

Referring to the drawings in which I have illustrated a specic embodiment,-Figure l 1s 'a plan view of the attachment of my invention. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section. Fig. 3 is a central transverse section.

'10 is the main body of the tool which is provided with an air passage of any of the usual forms. Its engaging lips however, instead of being brought to a more or less sharp point are provided with a lateral flanged portion 11. To this flanged portion is attached a plate 12 of hard wood fiber covered with a. fabric 13 having the nap of bristles, The plate has a central opening preferably a little larger than the opening in the tool, in order to accommodate the fabric on the inside. The fabric is placed over the working face or surface of the plate 12 and folded at the sides and ends thereof and throu h the central opening` over the back of said plate. The edges of the fabric are then covered by a rectangular clamping plate 14 screwed d-own to the plate 19. and upon the upturned edges of the fabric, the plate being thus incased in the attached fabric. Projecting from the clamping plate 14 on one side are inturned lugs 15 adapted to tit over the flange 11 on ythe rear side of the tool, while proj ect-ing from the opposite side of the clamping plate are lugs 16, through which extend set screws 17 for engagement with the flange 11. By this means the flat plate may be removably attached to the tool so that it may be used or not used at will.

YVhcn the tool of myinvention is used on hard wood floors with a bristle fabric of proper texture, the bristles act to sweep the dust and dirt and loosen it so 'that it may be readily sucked up by the cleaning apparatus.. By workingtlie tool back and forth all dust and dirtnot in the form Vof deep stains may be readily removed, and by the use of proper liquids to meisten t-he endof the tool, even stains may be removed. The nap' of the fabric enters cracks and irregularities in the floor and-in addition to loosening and sweeping the dirt therefrom, so fills the cracks and irregularities that the tool makes a .close contact with the floor, and the vacuum within the tool is sufficlent to secure the best act-ion of the tool and excellent cleanric the tool of this invention may be used to polish hard Wood floors simultaneously with the cleaning thereof.

l/Vhat I claim is:

1. An attachment for pneumatic tools comprising a facing member provided with a slot, a cloth facing enveloping said facin member, and a clamping plate connecte With said facing member and provided with means for securing t-he same to the mouth of the pneumatic tool.

2. An attachment for neumatic tools comprising a plate provide with an opening, a cloth facing enveloping said plate and bounding `said opening, and a clamping plate connected With said first mentioned plate and provided with means for securing the same to the pneumatic tool.

3. The combination with a pneumatic cleaning tool having a fianged mouth for engaging a surface to be cleaned, of a facing plate detachably connected with the Working surface of said mouth, fabric removably covering said facing plate, and a securing plate for holding the fabric on the facing late. v t p 4. The combination with a pneumatic cleaning tool having a Hanged mouth for engaging a surface to be cleaned, of alongitudinally slotted facing plate detachably connected with said mouth, fabric folded over the outer and inner edges of said facing plate to envelop the same, and a clamping plate removably connected to the back of the facing plate for securing the fabric thereon, said clamping plate being provided with means for attaching the facing plate to the cleaning tool.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

CHARLES R. THURMAN.

Witnesses ALICE A. TRILL, W. E. SLAUGENHOYT. 

